Later
today, the ISRO-developed 1,858kg Risat-1 (radar
imaging satellite) will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of
608km altitude. Equipped with a SAR, the satellite, orifinally due for launch in 2009, will operate in any of the five
modes, including coarse resolution (50-metre), wide swath (240km), narrow swath
(10km) and high resolution spotlight (2-metre).
Below are the other ISRO-launched remote-sensing satellites to date that have
been or are also being used for strategic weapons targetting purposes.
Hi prasun,
ReplyDelete“RISAT-1 will help to give sharp and clear images of kharif crop, especially paddy, during the cloudy months of September-November,” said an ISRO official. “Otherwise, rice estimation would have to wait till December or January.”
Is the above statement true? Is this a pure civilian satellite?
Or
the above statement is cover up to hide its military capabilities?
What are the advantages RISAT-1 to be launched over RISAT-2 which is already launched?
why does RISAT-1 heavier than RISAT-2?
Thanks
how much SAR satellite needed for detecting an missile launch from any part of pakistan and china
ReplyDeleteTo Anon@1.11AM: RISAT-1 is a dual-use satellite, operated and maintained by civilians, with the customers of the processed end-products being the civilian AND military agencies, just as was the situation with the CARTOSAT family of satellites. RISAT-2 is meant exclusively for the NTRO and is a low-earth orbiting satellite. RISAT-1 being heavier will be un polar orbit. But make no mistake, for the successful deployment of a family of such SAR-equipped remote-sensing satellites (at least seven) is imperative for achieving the degree of targetting precision reqd for India's long-range strategic ballistic missiles. Viewed this way, the development of RISAT-1 is as much a gamechanger as the Agni-5.
ReplyDeleteTo Anon@1.32PM: SAR-equipped satellites are never used for detecting ballistic missile launches, but rather the preparations underway at pre-surveyed missile launch sites PRIOR to missile launch. After the missiles are fired, it will be the job of what the DRDO calls 'Missile Monitoring Systems', or satellites in geo-stationary orbit that will detect the missiles during the boost phases of flight. Up to 4 such satellites are planned as part of the BMD network.
How many more such satellites like RISAT-1 is planned ??
ReplyDeletePlease share information on DRDO's HSTDV. Also any missile planned after this tech demo ??
CAn you tell us more about the test mentioned in this article about Remotely Piloted Vehicle and who provided us with this vehilce ? RPV with missile-launched PGMs!!! Please throw some lights on this too.
"A mother missile acts as a “force multiplier” and to achieve the desired result, each miniaturised missile will have a seeker to ensure its independent motion, irrespective of the mother missile’s motion."
Is there any such project underway ??
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2910934.ece
Dear Prasun ji
ReplyDeleteIn military term C band is considered as inferior to X band as X band means high resolution picture can be transmitted.
Further TecSAR was only 300 kgs and this one is 1850 kgs. All this clearly shows that india is still atleast decade behind Israel in this technology.
Regards
hello prasun da.
ReplyDeleteIs the mirage upgrade deal finalised?? Isnt it stupid to pay 3.4 billions or so for mirage..?? If HAL has really improved and LCA is upto the level of mirage then why such an astronomical price.?? CAnt a HAL+BEL+drdo consoritum do it in 1/3rd the price..CANT indian press blow whistle and sumhow stop this madness??
Hello Prasun,
ReplyDeleteWhat is your opinion about this deal..?
Do we really need this..? Or, its a coverup for something bigger..?
http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20120425/173046325.html
Prasun, can you tell me why exactly India needs the R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) as is reported:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20120425/173046325.html
IAF already has this gap covered no?
+Prasun, will IAF pilts at any point get torso G-suits/survial jackets as in the past (especially with MKIs) we have seen pilots with purely trouser/bottom half g-suits and same goes for IN Mig-29K what kind of fluit attire will they sport?
ReplyDeleteHello Prasun,
ReplyDeleteOnce again many thanks for your articles and comments to the readers. I am an ardent reader of your blog.
I would like to know, how did Pakistan test an Intermediate Ballistic Missile in such a short notice, less than one week after India tested its ICBM? If Pak can tests such a sophisticated missile in such a quick time scale, then how can one claims that Pak missiles have Chinese origin? What is the range of this missile?
Thanks,
Mallu
that's really funny calling MKI shelter but showing something else inside the shelter.btw that shelter looks strange like an art work
ReplyDeleteHey Prasun,
ReplyDeleteWhen can we be independent of GPS and GLONASS?
How many Satellites are required for IRNSS to perform optimally...and how many of those are in orbit?
When will it be operational?
To Anon@5.38AM: There is a reqmt for at least three satellites like the RISAT-1. The no of RISAT-2 type of satellites reqd is up to seven. There are two HSTDV programmes involving the DRDO, both based on scramjet technologies. One concerns the concept of a reusable space orbiter and this is being researched upon with the help of Israel & Russia, and the other concerns the use of scramjets for the hypersonic BrahMos-2. The UAV is the Mirach 100/5 from Italy. What is being attempted here is to develop a weapon like the US’ ASSAULTBREAKER PGM that was talked about in the mid-1980s. Today, such weapons have morphed into CALCMs or long-range MBRL-launched rockets equipped with sensor-fuzed munitions (SFM). Such SFM can be used against hostile armoured formations, runways of air bases, or even warships, and can go on board CALCMs like Ra’ad, Taurus KEPD-350, Delilah, or Storm Shadow, or UCAVs like the WJ-600.
ReplyDeleteTo Pawan: That’s true. X-band SAR is the best there is. Way back in the mid-1980s the ISRO was experimenting with an aircraft-carried SAR system, but this project was mysteriously terminated by the then Govt-in-power, and no one had even bothered to get this project’s R & D efforts transferred from ISRO to the DRDO. Had this project been taken up by the DRDO then, the IAF would have had its own battlefield surveillance platforms by the mid-1990s, at least. Regarding low-earth orbiting overhead r5ecce satellites, yes, India has yet to overcome certain technological hurdles, but this type of satellites are the way ahead as far as military applications go.
To Rohan: The Mirage 2000 upgrade contact is a signed and sealed one. The only other plausible explanation for the hogh cost of this deal is that several if not all Mirage 2000s will be heavily modified as tactical nuclear weapons delivery platforms, probably for launching the LRCM.
To Saurav Jha & Unknown: This is a deal for the R-27RET BVRAAM that uses passive infra-red guidance for terminal homing. For high effectiveness, it is often used in conjunction with the R-77 BVRAAM. The new deal is most probably for replacing the earlier stocks of an earlier generation of R-27RETs that were bought in the late 1990s and 2001 and that have now to be replaced due to their expired shelf-lives.
To Unknown: Those types of full-kit G-suits are worn by the aircrew during operational air campaigns and exercises, and not during routine training flights. For instance, when aircrew of the Su-30MKIs or Jaguars or Mirage 2000s undertake flights out to Car Nicobar or even for overseas bilateral/multilateral air exercises, full-kit G-suits are issued and worn. There’s a full-kit G-suite already developed for both the Tejas Mk1 and LCA (Navy).
To Mallu: The 750km-range Hatf-4/Shaheen-1A was not tested at short notice. Rather, its launch preparations got underway at least two months ago. It was a pre-planned test, and not a last-minute effort.
To Dashu: It is an Israeli shelter used for aircraft like the Kfir & Mirage V. By the way, it looks like both LIVEFIST & HEADLINES TODAY have made good use of the pix I had uploaded last February of the AW-101 in IAF colours, and which had first appeared at: http://trishul-trident.blogspot.in/2012/02/desi-yellow-journalism-at-its-very-best.html
KSK: We can never be independent of GPS. But India can and will be independent of both the US ‘Navstar’ & Russia’s ‘Glonass’ AFTER the seven GPS satellites of India’s indigenous IRNSS constellation are put into orbit by 2016. The satellites are now under fabrication, and will use France-supplied on-board atomic clocks.
http://bacajela.blogspot.com/2012/04/india-china-rivalry-by-robert-d-kaplan.html
ReplyDeletePrasun hasn't the IAF also bought storm shelters of the type you had posted in the DEFEXPO posts with the manufacturer even showing the IAF using their shelters ?
ReplyDeleteTo SBM: The only shelters bought so far by the IAF are of the type that was showcased at DEFEXPO 2012. The type of shelters shown in the MoD report have never been bought for anyone in India thus far.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good thing isn't it ?
ReplyDeleteTo SBM: Of course, it is. Why import when home-grown SMEs are fully up to the task!
ReplyDeleteRISAT - 1 launched successfully, orbit is 476km x473km with right inclination.
ReplyDeletePrasun will you be doing a detailed write up of the INS VIKRAMDITYA soon regarding air operations and the like? What will the CBG centred around VIKRAMDITYA look like regarding escorts/support vessels? And when flight testing commences in June/July this year in Russia will IN Mig-29K pilots participate at all? Also what do you/the IN think the crash rate of Mig-29Ks will be during the first few years of air ops off Vikramditya as the IN has very little experience in operating high performance,heavy supersonic jets off small decks and even the USN encountered serious issues back in 1970s/80s when operating high performance jets off medium size carriers such as high crash rates. If crashes happen will IN order more Mig-29Ks as replacement or just wait for N-LCA to fill the numbers? Also will the IN fighter pilots be issued with survival gear attached to them/ejection seat in case of ejection like Western pilots who wear survival vests with emergency supplies on their chests as part of their flight gear and also an emergency pack attached to their ejection seats with extensive supplies to help downed pilots.
ReplyDeletePrasun,. what is the primary purpose of RISAT-1/2 defence or civil purposes? And which are the actual agencies that will use the sats RAW?NRTO?
ReplyDeleteHI Prasun
ReplyDeleteThe papers say that the RISAT has a AESA radar. if that is true then we a can easily fabricate a JSTAR type of surveilance ac. I believe that a space AESA is more difficult than a aircraft based one. The RISAT being orbited about 500 km shows that we can easily make a JSTAR type of ac. Did we do this ourselves or outside help was sought.please comment.
why are we still buying SARH missiles like the R-27 which are not reliable and whose PK is dismall , nobody gave any good report about the performance of the R-27 types. Why cant we just go in for r-77?.
ReplyDeletehttp://polaris.nationalinterest.in/2009/05/12/how-many-indian-nuclear-weapons/
ReplyDeleteHey Prasun,
Here it is estimated that India may have only 35-49 warheads?
they have also given some reasons based on info of WGP that India was able to produce ...how accurate r they?
Dear Prasun
ReplyDeleteHas any progress has been achieved in
a) DARIN3 upgrade + the selection of the Engine for the Jaguar
b) Mirage 2000 upgrade has been signed, so has any aircraft been sent to France yet? ie has the upgrade process began??
Thanks
G
Risat1 is currently 460Kms .later it will be pushed to 570Kms which places it in polar orbit..
ReplyDeleteour cryogenic engines r of utmost importance if ISRO wants to launch mucmh much more capable Sats.
what u think of this?
ReplyDeleteindiatoday.intoday.in/story/chinese-intelligence-training-and-funding-maoists-in-india/1/186191.html
Hi Prasun,
ReplyDeleteWhats the actual resolution od CARTOSAT 2B.....wont ISRO launch 2C with better resolution?
Anand
www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/WorldEconomy/BHEL-may-make-Bofors-equivalent-guns-for-the-Army/Article1-846696.aspx
ReplyDeleteThe launch of RISAT-1 is highly appreciable.
ReplyDeleteTo Unknown: Yes, that’s being done at the moment, for I have the latest updates from both Rosoboronexport State Corp & SEVMASH. All such data will eventually go into a forthcoming book I’m presently drafting on the evolution of the Indian Navy’s operational art from 1971 till to date. This book will for the first time detail how and why India decided to acquire Soviet warships of various types since the late 1960s, how they were operationally employed, what were their induction & training schedules, how are things proceeding now and what are the future prospects. Any Carrier-based Battle group of the Indian Navy will always maintain the six-vessel fleet of escorts, including two DDGs and four FFGs, plus at least two SSKs. IN MiG-29K pilots will definitely be involved with the pre-delivery inspections and pre-commissioning schedules of INS Vikramaditya. It is highly unlikely that there will be any major crashes involving MiG-29Ks since the tactical flight simulator from Rheinmetal DeTec has been operational at Dabolim since the past two years. Issuance of survival gear for all naval pilots has been a standard practice since the 1960s.
ReplyDeleteRegarding RISAT-1, I had already said earlier that this is a dual-use system. Agencies using it will not be RAW or NTRO (they use the RISAT-2), but the armed forces and especially the Strategic Forces Command.
To Anon@7.19PM: Not AESA, but a C-band SAR. For JSTARS-type operations, the existing L-STAR AESA radar is being used for developing ground moving target recognition algorithms. I had already explained all this in my DEFEXPO 2012 Show News Part-2 thread.
To Anon@7.24PM: Who ever said SARH AAMs are not reliable? The best reports on the combined use of BVRAAMs like SARH and IIR-guided came from none other than Boeing, thanks to its in-house air combat simulation scenarios which proved the devastating utility of IIR-guided BVRAAMs when used in ripple-fire mode along with BVRAAMs like the R-27R & R-77.
To KSK: Based on the present inventory of unitary warhead-armed Agni-1 and Agni-2 missiles (12 of each), I would say even the figure of 49 is quite high at the moment, even if one includes gravity bombs. Unless one breaks up the number into ready-to-fire warheads and reserve warheads. In any case, by the end of this decade, the number of deliverable n-weapons will increase to perhaps 80 when MIRVs are introduced along with newer delivery systems like the Agni-4, Agni-5 and the LRCM.
To Anon@11.08PM: The Jaguar IS upgrade programme has two components: DARIN-3 avionics upgrade, and the re-engining programme. Between these two, the avionics upgrade programme has already commenced. The contract for F-125 turbofans is now awaiting signature. The first two Mirage 2000s due to be upgraded are already in France.
ReplyDeleteTo Anon@11.41PM: Quite unlikely. Instead, what’s happening is that Mainland China has most probably hired proxies from the former warring factions/warlords of Myanmar to impart weapons training. Supply of small arms and ammo too is available in abundance from within Myanmar and can be easily obtained under well-established cash-n-carry mechanisms. The only way to put an end to all this is to develop India’s border transportation infrastructure on a war-footing, which in turn enable India’s BSF and armed forces to engage in logistically feasible persistent border dominance operations. That’s the only solution and option available. China’s prime area of interest is the area comprising AP and Nagaland, due to the location of India’s pre-surveyed nuclear weapons launch pads in these areas and therefore, Chinese espionage activities using the local tribes in these two states have increased a lot since 2005.
To Anand: Its camera has a spatial resolution of less than 1 metre. For the future, more money will be spent on SAR-equipped remote-sensing satellites.
To Anon@12.52AM: BHEL doesn’t make any 127mm guns. The guns on P-15A DDGs are 100mm guns from Russia. The 127mm guns are being proposed for P-15B DDGs. And why should BHEL begin competing with OFB to make similar products? Wouldn’t it be better for BHEL to stick to naval guns and focus its R & D efforts (along with DRDO) to make 155mm/52-cal naval guns? Right now we have the OFB being given money by the MoD to build 155mm/39-cal FH-77Bs and develop their 45-cal and 52-cal derivatives; and on the other hand entities like the Kalyani Group too buying out the 155mm/45-cal howitzer production plant of Austria’s MFL (former NORICUM/Voest Alpine) for making both the GHN-45 howitzer and upgunning the M-46. To top it all, we are now being told that the ‘Swathi’ WLR that has been under development since 1997, will henceforth have to compete against the latest available WLRs from abroad, such as the EL/M-2084 MMR from IAI/ELTA Systems (and the latter, being a proven system, will easily win hands-down, rest assured). What all this indicates is a total lack of structured roadmap for armed forces modernisation, which was supposed to be an integral part of the long-term perspective plan (LTPP) that has been prepared by HQ Integrated Defence Staff after almost a decade. And although the LTPP has been approved by the MoD, the Union Ministry of Finance still hasn’t approved it. Consequently, how can such LTPPs be implemented without confirmed financial allocations?
ReplyDeleteTo Mr.RA 13: In concur. By the way, what was the question you had raised elsewhere about the existence, if any, of defence procurement deals being done by the book and bereft of any corrupt practices?
To Mr.RA 13: Kindly read this: http://www.tehelka.com/story_main52.asp?filename=Ne280412ARMS.asp
ReplyDeletePrasun, the key is to separate the number of ready warheads to those earmarked for reserve missiles.
ReplyDeleteAbout 30 Agni 1 and 30 Agni-2 have been produced. About a dozen each are ready at any time. So 24 missile based warheads are ready with another 36 in reserve.
The calculations put forward are total guesswork based on the lowest possible Cirus and Dhruv performance and totally excluding the CANDU reactors of which at least the MAPP plant has been contributing to the WGPu stockpile. Furthermore, several of the other reactors - the 8 kept out of safeguards - have been earmarked for strategic purposes.
Separate ready warheads from reserve warheads from WGPu.
I have been reading so many estimates and they vary depending on the bias of the author. In each and every case there is excessive guesswork passed off as fact.
To SBM: I concur.
ReplyDeleteThus far, I have come across two separate reports by the 'desi' mass-media which claim that the Arjun MBT's gun comes from Rheinmetal of Germany. The first report is here: http://defenceexpress.blogspot.in/2012/04/mod-focus-on-big-purchases-while-army.html
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd report appears in the 2nd para on page 17 of FORCE magazine's April 2012 issue.
HI Prasun
ReplyDeletecoming back to sarh missiles , even the western missile like the sparrow had a bad PK as articles on the air battles in the vietnam war state, even in the israeli wars more kills were made by sidewinders , even though they had sparrows. My main concern is the reliability of the russian systems where there have been press reports of of bad reliability even of the R-77 missile. More over the r-27 ir missiles dont have datalinks in which case it makes no sense having long range IR missiles . The only advantage seems to be their long range, but when sarh radar missiles are fired at a longer range than the f-16 amraam combo by the time the missile reaches the target our AC will be in the no escape zone of the amraam , and in battle the sukhoi could guide 2 max SARH radar missiles while it should be possible to ripple fire 4+ active r-77s ,of course they also need mid course guidance . There have been no reports that the r-27 have IIR seekers but just the normal ir seekers . I hear china has got the license from Ukraine and using an agat seeker from russia to make a long range active missile .I think we should aslo do that to get the hang of missile manufacturing. I bet they had got a lot of tech from the ukrainians to develop their latest pl-12 active missile which seems to be bigger and better on range as well .please comment on the status of the astra as nothing seems to be happening while trying to reinvent he wheel. The DRDO chaps should have had the help of a mature manufacturer rather than trying to reinvent the wheel and delay the induction.
Prasun
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking endlessly of a beautiful long range missile that is waiting to be taken ie the Barak -8 missile converted in to a active air to air missile ! The israelis have hinted it cud be done many times, There were reports that we were in collaboration with the russians for the ks-172 but nothing heard after that , [please comment.
the barak is a ready made misile and they cud be perfectly matched with the 2032 radar as both are israeli. . The barak has a 70 km range when fired from the air it cud easily reach 150 km or more . MY mouth waters imagining a active barak on a wing station of the LCA and the other a IIR barak , moreover we can use the same air frame and as k the israelis to develop an anti radar missile as well , seems so promising to me , please comment .
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/529949_119480264853482_100003745288830_92842_1143795454_n.jpg
ReplyDelete@Prasun da,
ReplyDeleteI have a few questions to ask:
1.According to some reports,the RISAT 1 has a special 'spotlight mode' in which the sattelite can observe a particular geographic area for prolonged time and can give image resolution of less than 1 meter-is that correct??
2.Any update on the present status of 120 km range version of Barak NG??
3.I looked at the model of the FICV presented by Tata.I want to ask,why don't they build something in the line of BMP 3??The BMP 3 with its 1X100mm gun,1X30mm gun,three 7.62mm and an ATGM launcher is currently the most heavily armed ICV anywhere in the world!!Can't we build something similar to that beast??
4.In your DefExpo 12 thread,you had uploaded a picture of DRDO developed SAR seeker for Nirbhay LRCM.I want to ask can this same seeker or a modified version of it be used onboadr Agni missiles ??
5.The associate director of RCI Mr G Satheesh Reddy told The Hindu that Agni V,due to its very sophisticated guidance system,had acheived 'a few meters' of CEP!!Can this be correct??!!I mean,don't you think it's a bit over-exaggrated (or under exaggarated)??
Prasun, if the N-LCA arrives too late for the IN surely the N-LCA could make an awesome Carrier flight trainer for IN similar to T-45 Goshawk trainer of USN but more advanced and able to go supersonic. Can you see this being what the N-LCA ends up as? A lead-in naval trainer for IN pilots who go on to fly heavier more capable IN fighters later? And if so could the N-LCA trainer be devloped to be able to launch in the CATOBAR configuration as for later IN ACCs which will be CATOBAR then this will be needed? Or if not do you think IN will go for the T-45 Goshawk?
ReplyDeleteAs the way I see it is that if 2012 is the first flight of N-LCA then the a/c won't be ready to enter service until atleast 2018/2020 and by then the IN will most likely have its STOBAR fighter needs met with Mig-29K and will be constructing the larger IAC-2 which will most likely be CATOBAR and will not really be ideal for N-LCA given its light designation and other more capable fighters IN are looking at (this is what N-MMRCA program is for I assume). Hence the proverbial boat for N-LCA as a dedicated fighter might have sailed but to be used as a lead-in carrier trainer it could be excellent and put to great use.
Prasun, any idea when the deal for IAF AH064D Blk.III will be signed? And how many do you speculate iAF will eventually get?
ReplyDeletePrasun, is there any truth behind the allegations os corruption in the deal for 12 AW-101s for VVIP flight? Will this deal be subsequently delayed because of these allegations?
ReplyDeletehttp://ofbindia.nic.in/products/data/weapons/wlc/4.htm
ReplyDeleteWhen will the upgunning of M-46 will be completed?
When can we expect the trials of OFB 155mm39cal and their 45 n 52 cal versions ?
R the howitzers from kalyani group readily available?
Thanx for the information. The utter laziness of the military-industrial complex too had a hand in slowing and extending of various projects, which led to price escalations and the need of imports. Thus consequences led to the undesirable existence of the middlemen and so on and so forth.
ReplyDeleteBTW, in your revered opinion which is really better, AK-47 or latest INSAS, if you have to use it individually in a war.
To RAD: The problems encountered by the AIM-7s during the late 1960s and 1970s were due to faulty storage and ferrying procedures that were consequently rectified. The problem with the R-77 was its on-board battery, and this issue was resolved a long time ago. The BVRAAMs being sought from Ukraine’s ARTEM JSC is an upgraded version of the original R-27ET1 that now features an IIR seeker. The earlier versions had a simple IR seeker (see my earlier blog at: http://trishulgroup.blogspot.in/2008/10/vympels-r-27-r-73-aams.html
ReplyDelete& http://trishulgroup.blogspot.in/2008/11/su-30mkis-russia-origin-weapons-package.html) The present-day BVRAAMs with active terminal homing will in the years to come be easily neutralised by the kind of AESA-based on-board active jammers like the ones now being installed on the MiG-29UPG and the to-be-upgraded Mirage 2000s. That’s why, in order to increase the hit probability by BVRAAMs a combination of active terminal homing BVRAAM and IIR-guided BVRAAM is the best available option—a concept adopted by the French as well as Russians and Ukrainians, and also the Chinese. And given the assured proliferation in future of AESA-based MMRs and AESA-based EW jammers located throughout the aircraft in a distributed pattern (as in the Rafale’s Spectra suite & on the Super Su-30MKI & MiG-29UPG), it will become even more easier to resort to high-power directional jamming of the active terminal seekers of BVRAAMs like the AIM-120 & R-77. Viewed from this angle, AESA-based MMRs and AESA-based EW jammers located throughout the aircraft in a distributed pattern promises to be a critical gamechanger in terms of self-protection during beyond-visual-range air combat. Consequently, in future dogfights, the kills will m ainly be scored by a synchronised functioning of the triad of IRST sensor, HMDS & UUR-guided air combat missiles. The Astra BVRAAM at the moment is nothing but a re-engineered and re-invented R-77 and it suffers from the same deficiencies as any other existing BVRAAM. Even in case of LRAAMs like Novator’s KS-172, its data-link communications for mid-course guidance are easily detectable by ESM receivers on board a combat aircraft or an AEW & C platform, and this in turn will immediately alert the targetted platform like an A-50U PHALCON to activate the directional jamming mode of its AESA radar, which in turn will be able to easily neutralise the KS-172’s terminal active radar. On the other hand, IIR-guided LRAAMs equipped with data-links for mid-course guidance appear to be more promising. As for anti-radiation missiles, loitering UCAVs like the HAROP are a far better prospect since their flight profiles can be tailored for low-observability, while their low-cost on-board optronic sensors can be employted for positive target identification.
To ANURAG: Yes, that’s correct. The LR-SAM version of Barak-2 is still under development. The TATA-designed tracked FICV will be as lethal as the BMP-3, if not more. I too will be able to carry four turret-mounted ready-to-fire ATGMs. The SAR seeker developed by DATA Patterns with a ‘foreign’ collaborator is not only for the LRCM, but also for the Prahaar. For the Agni-5’s MIRVs, a similar seeker will have to be developed for sure. For strategic missiles like Agni-5, CEP is not measured in ‘a few metres’, as such accuracy is simply not required. A CEP of even 1km will be highly satisfactory, since the India’s nuclear deterrence posture calls for striking against ‘counter-value’ targets and not ‘counter-force’ targets. Precision strike capability is important only for NLOS-BSMs like BrahMos & Prahaar.
ReplyDeleteTo KSingh: For the Indian Navy, the LIFT reqmt will definitely arise, but much later AFTER the Navy finalises its induction plans for next-generation tandem-seat combat aircraft like the carrier-borne FGFA. The Hawk Mk132 AJTs will be used only for shore-based flying training and will therefore will not be used like the T-54A Goshawks. But in the years to come the N-LCA’s tandem-seat variant, if successfully developed, will definitely be used for carrier-borne flying training since it is now almost confirmed that IAC-2 will displace more than 60,000 tonnes & will be a CATOBAR design, and therefore Navy HQ is now seriously examining the prospect of using nuclear propulsion for such CATOBAR carriers. This is because, according to BARC, it takes up to 15 years for a shipborne PWR’s design to mature and consequently, in order to gain experience in designing a new-generation PWR for the S-5 SSBN, Navy HQ has suggested that BARC first make an attempt to design a PWR foe the IAC-2. The matter is still under deliberation, but it appears the most logical way forward, since the BARC had a very minor role to play in designing the Arihant’s PWR, which in any case is an antiquated Soviet-era design.
Regarding the AH-64D Block-3 LongBow Apaches, the contract for an initial 22 will be inked this fiscal year, but the total reqmt is for 46 units. At the same time, IAF HQ is now examining the prospect of re-engining its Mi-25s & Mi-35Ps with VK-2500 engines (available from both Ukraine & Russia, although the IAF’s Mi-17V-5s have VK-2500s built by Ukraine’s Motor Sich). As for allegations of wrongdoing on the AW-101 VVIP helicopter deal, I would as of now believe the official statements of a public-listed company like Finmeccanica. If at all there was an impropriety, then it is very likely to involve only Italian corporates and politicians. For if there was any ‘Indian’ angle or involvement, competitors like Sikorsky Aircraft wouldn’t have kept quiet, and like what Bell Helicopters Textron did against Eurocopter regarding the LOH/LUH competition, it would surely have officially complained to the MoD by now. But that has not happened thus far.
To Anon@10.47PM: RFPs for the M-46’s upgunning & upgrade will be issued this June. L & T/Nexter Systems, Kalyani Group/ELBIT Systems, and Punj Lloyd/Yugoimport SPDR will be the principal bidders for this project. The Kalyani Group’s M-46 upgunning/upgrade package is readily available, since component fabrication has already begun. An upgraded version of the GHN-45 too can be readied for trials by 2015. But the situation is still complicated, since the Army HQ must clearly state what it wants. It can’t advice the MoD to on one hand award contracts to OFB to build 39-cal, 45-cal and 52-cal versions of the FH-77B, while on the other insist on competitive firing trials involving the OFB & private industrial players like the Kalyani Group. Army HQ had to first decide on what kind of towed 155mm howitzer it wants: 39-cal, 45-cal or 52-cal, although logic demands that the 52-cal standard be adopted. If that’s the case, then the competition will be between OFB teamed up with the Mahindra/BAE Systems JV & Caesar from L & T/Nexter Systems. If the Army wants to forego the 52-cal option and settles on the 45-cal option, then the competition will be between OFB teamed up with the Mahindra/BAE Systems & Kalyani Group’s upgraded GHN-45. My personal view is that all this is a sheer waste of time and is meant for only wars of the past. If one wants to embrace across-the-board transformation, then the focus ought to be on only three systems: a tracked 155mm/52-cal solution, a motorised 155mm/52-cal solution, and the LW-155mm UFH.
ReplyDeleteTo Mr.RA 13: The problem always lay with the MoD’s Dept of Defence Production & Supplies, since this Dept has always been responsible for ensuring the financial viability of the DPSUs. Consequently, in terms of organisational loyalty, the MoD’s bureaucracy has always been biaised in favour of the DPSUs and has discouraged the private-sector military-industrial complex every step of the way. This is the heart of the problem. But once this Dept is no longer made responsible for mentoring the DPSUs (and instead being made responsible only for meeting the procurement reqmts of the armed services from any local manufacturer), the situation will change overnight, since the Dept will then have no other option but to perpetually ensure a level playing field and facilitate the formation of national industrial consortiums involving both private players and DPSUs all aimed at providing the reqd solutions. Therefore, what’s reqd is an attitudinal/mindset change, which can only be brought about if the mandate and charter of duties of the Secretary for Defence Production & Supplies and the Dept he heads are redrafted at the apex level by the Union Cabinet, the MoD and Union MoF to encompass the wider goal of facilitating the growth of national military-industrial entities, as opposed to just that of DPSUs as is presently the case.
In my humble opinion, I will anyday prefer an INSAS (fitted with a folding butt, combination of sights & an UBGL) over the AK-47.
Thanx! You practically clarified everything within this purview.
ReplyDeleteHi Prasun,
ReplyDeleteDo you have any update on FINSAS rifle?
Thanks
HI Prasun
ReplyDeleteWhats your take on converting a barak sam in to an long range AAM?.Its got everything we need, active radar , datalink , eccm , TVC ,etc
Dont you think the KS-172 will be a good long range missile to scare the enemy ? For the enemy to get to jam the data link by esm it has to come in between the missile and the AC which is not possible always as the
enemy will be far away for a head on shot or a tail shot May be that cud be done with the short range stuff like the astra, derby , mica etc.
In Aero india 2009 or before i was talking to an Italian guy who was demonstrating the virgilius EW system and that had this funny looking antenna (AESA) for the MIG -29 and when i asked him wether it cud jam the AMRAAM he smiled and told me amraam is an old missile and that was easy !!. Little did i realize the power of AESA jammers, but the worry is what if they sell it to the pakis.
Good to hear that IAC-2 will be a CATOBAR ... will it use Steam or Electric power(as in newest US ACs) to propel?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the expected time for the FICV development and when will the production start...how many will be ordered?
Hi, i have a few ques regarding the follow on Talwar class. 1. What is the use of the anti sub rocket mortar system RBU-6000. It has a range of only 4 km. No enemy subs will ever venture so close to an adversary's warship. The sub will be at a minimum standoff distance of 30 km during a torpedo attack. Also all modern subs operate at depths of ~ 200 m . Is the RBU effective at such depths. Instead of hosting the Rbu, the deck space can be used for installing 8-16 VLS for the 550 km range Brahmos block 3 which will make the Talwar a major surface combatant. 2. Why did the Navy go for the AK-630 CIWS instead of the Kashtan ? The kashtan was fitted on the earlier batch of Talwars. The combination of gun and missiles makes it effective against both sub and supersonic seakimming antiship missiles. The 630 is only effective for creating a wall of leads in front of an incoming target.The AK-630 is incapable of intercepting of both subsonic and supersonic missile threats. U nly said so in one of your earlier comments. So what is the logic behind the navy going for the Ak630 instead of the Kashtan. Pls clarify.
ReplyDeleteHI Prasun
ReplyDeleteNow we suddenly hear that the drdo is trying to make an anti radiation missile ! we are going to hear the same story as the astra more than 10 years in development without a any results, why cant they take the help from out side ex israel who are past masters and experienced in this . Again there is this talk of a long range air to air missile , sounds crazy given our tech base in all these cutting edge tech. then there is this talk of a short range sam! Sounds crazy where is all this tech and funding going to come from?
please comment
First Agni-5, then synthetic aperture radar imaging satellite,then Tejas Naval flight, to be followed in Aug with Nirbhay flight, then GSLV-2 in Sep/Oct, supersonic scram-jet test next year - Prasun it appears Indian defence technology is taking quantum leaps!
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